Polytech Completes UPrevent Project: Smart Insole for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Prevention
We are thrilled to announce that our groundbreaking project “UPrevent – Smart Insole for Foot Ulcer Prevention in Diabetic Patients.” is complete. Polytech S.A. developed this innovative product in collaboration with BIOMECHANICAL SOLUTIONS (BME), CONTROLNET, the University of Thessaly’s Department of Medical School of Health Sciences, and the National Center for Research and Technological Development (CERTH). We funded the project under the ESPA 2014-2020 “Research-Create-Innovate” business program.
The Urgency of Addressing Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Currently, approximately 7% of the global population suffers from diabetes, a figure projected to rise to 8.3% by 2030. Alarmingly, complications from diabetes mellitus cause an extremity amputation every 30 seconds, with foot ulcers leading to the majority of these amputations.
Diabetic foot ulcers pose a severe health challenge worldwide. They are among the most common and serious complications faced by diabetic patients. Treating foot ulcers often proves difficult, requiring long-term medications or extended hospital stays. Experts estimate that 15-25% of diabetic patients will develop a foot ulcer in their lifetime. Moreover, over 70% of those who develop a foot ulcer will experience a recurrence within five years. The multidisciplinary treatment approach involves orthopedic surgeons, endocrinologists, infectious disease physicians, and trained nurses, which makes the treatment both complex and costly.
In Greece, the average annual treatment cost for diabetic foot wounds is 6,143 Euros, which can skyrocket to nearly 60,000 Euros if complications lead to amputation.
UPrevent: A Smart Solution for Prevention
UPrevent automatically redistributes plantar pressure in diabetic patients, preventing ulceration through its smart insole design. Customized insoles embedded with pressure sensors and actuators adjust rigidity to redistribute pressure from high-risk areas, such as the metatarsal head and heel. When sensors detect pressure exceeding a preset threshold, the insole automatically adjusts to alleviate it.
The social and financial impacts of this project are profound. By preventing the development of ulcers, UPrevent not only improves patients’ quality of life but also significantly reduces the financial burden on healthcare systems. Preventive measures reduce hospital stays, rehabilitation costs, and the need for extensive home care and social services, thus contributing to the sustainability of national health systems.
Our Collaborative Effort
The UPrevent project was a collaborative effort involving:
- POLYTECH S.A.
- BIOMECHANICAL SOLUTIONS (BME)
- SB Technologies
- University of Thessaly, Department of Medical School of Health Sciences
- National Center for Research and Technological Development (CERTH)
We are grateful to our partners and the ESPA 2014-2020 program for their support in making this project a reality. Together, we are making significant strides in preventing diabetic foot ulcers and improving healthcare outcomes for diabetic patients worldwide.